My Hollywood System

Chapter 56:

Will had asked Benjamin to set up a meeting with Micheal Elrod. The latter was a small-time actor in the MCA, and there were many such actors like him struggling to make their break.

In Will’s perspective, he was the exact replica of Robert Downey Jr, or he at least seemed that way from the movies he had starred in. The roles were good but not something that suited his personality.

White Ruby Hotel

This was one of the best hotels in Los Angeles, and only top class people could afford to have a meal there. Why Will decided to invite Micheal Elrod to this lavish place was simple.

Although Will wasn’t particularly fond of dining at such places, it was also true that these were the places that could leave a heavy impact on someone, especially when not just anyone can afford to dine here.

Will’s reasoning was simple. If by any chance, this Micheal was the same as RDJ, there was no way Will would leave him be. And if he was truly the same person with a different name and circumstances, It would open up a world full of massive opportunities for Will.

This can mean many things, especially that there was a chance legendary actors that were famous back on earth were still small-time nobodies here, and Will could make an agency full of these actors.

There’s even a chance that they existed but never took acting as their career.

Just this thought sent a rush of adrenaline down Will’s whole body.

From what Will had heard about him from Uncle Ben, this Micheal wasn’t a child actor like Robert Downey Jr, and he never got into drugs and such.

In this world, he had just entered his 30s and was struggling to make a break in the industry. His personality was pretty likeable, and he mostly got along with people and had no apparent feuds with anyone.

Will parked his car in the parking lot and walked inside the grandiose hotel through the carpet. Yellow lamps were decorating the walls as if themed.

Will walked inside as a waiter came and guided him to his reserved table.

On a chair by the table, the Robert Downey Jr lookalike was drinking water from a glass cup.

Micheal looked exactly like RDJ with the same face and even the same haircut. He wore a grey tweed, shawl collar blazer that made him look really handsome and young.

“Hello, I’m Will Evans.”

Will got near and said. Micheal, who was drinking water, looked towards him and immediately put down the glass as he stood up.

“Ah, It’s so nice to meet you. I’m Micheal Elrod. You can call me Robert.”

Micheal– Robert introduced himself.

“What….? Isn’t your name Micheal?”

Will’s brain started buzzing as he was shocked. This was something he didn’t expect. Was Micheal also a transmigrator? Or was he someone who could read minds? How did he know that his other name was Robert? Will was honestly confused and a bit apprehensive.

Robert, who saw Will’s expression changing, couldn’t help but immediately try to come clear.

“Yes, yes. My name is Micheal. Micheal Robert Elrod, to be precise. My friends call me Robert, and it’s something I prefer getting called. It’s fine if you want to stick with Micheal.”

“Ohhh, so it’s like that. You don’t need to be so formal. I’m younger than you. Don’t mind my earlier reaction. I just spaced out for a second, I guess. Anyways, it’s really nice to meet you; I’m a fan.”

Robert was confused as he heard that. It seemed like a joke. He was already surprised when Benjamin told him that Will, the star rookie director, wanted to meet him. He was having a hard time coping with reality due to his stale career, and most of his days passed by in sadness and regrets. He didn’t know what Will was talking about.

A fan? Not a single person had said that to him in years.

“I’m sorry, but are you mistaken? I don’t remember having any fans.” He asked as he chuckled in a self-deprecating tone.

“You do have them. I’m one of them. I really enjoyed your acting as the Lord’s servant in [The Red Knight]. It was a small role, but you looked really convincing in your portrayal as the servant who hears all but isn’t allowed to speak. Then, there was…”

Like that, Will explained to him by speaking out about all the movies Robert has acted in, even a movie in which he only had a 30-second role. From fantasy movies like [The Red Knight] to a teen romance like [High school love] where his role was just to get punched in the nose to introduce the bully to the audience..

This surprised Robert a lot as he never thought there would be someone like Will who’d be his fan, not only that but to such an extent.

‘Looks like he’s really shocked.’

Will had, of course, prepared for all this. He wanted to make sure if this guy was the real deal, so he had watched all the movies he had acted in, and soon Will was confident that Micheal had the same level of skills as the original RDJ.

‘That was close. I almost got scared. I never thought he would have Robert as his middle name… fate sure likes to play.’

Will thought inwardly as he looked at Robert. He looked every bit like the younger Robert Downey Jr; even his voice was the same. But his confidence seemed to be lacking somewhat.

Which was expected after not being able to get a break in the industry even after working for years.

“I don’t want to sound rude, but why did you call me here today? I was surprised when I got a call from Senior Agent Benjamin. For a second, I legit thought MCA wanted to kick me out even before the end of my contract term. Hahaha.”

Will chuckled upon hearing that. To think that such a powerful figure from earth was reduced to just being this much.

“Actually, I heard about your contract with MCA. It is going to end soon, right? Do you have any plans to renew the contract or change your agency?”

Will asked after he ordered some food and asked Robert to order whatever he wanted.

“Yes, it is going to end soon. However, I would like to renew it. I don’t think they would invest any more than they already have in me, and I’ve already been with them for three years now.”

Robert chuckled bitterly as he said that, his index finger circled the rim of the wine glass.

Although MCA was a big agency, it didn’t mean that every actor in it would be successful. June was such a case, and it was the same with Robert.

Some fault also lay in the fact that the internal management of MCA was in shambles for a long time now.

“Well, in my opinion, it’s not something you should be worried about. Anyways, I won’t beat around the bush; I have a role for you in my next movie.”

Will said with a serious expression. He didn’t want to circle around and talk, he just said what he had come for directly.

Robert was surprised after hearing that. He never thought that when he was despairing about not getting any roles just a few days ago, he would be offered a role by the famous rookie director. It was like a piece of pie suddenly fell from the sky directly onto his face.

Normally, telling Benjamin or his agent would have been enough to get him for a role; he didn’t know why someone like Will, who was continuously rising in fame, would personally come to give him a role. But he wasn’t going to complain about it.

“I’ve never acted in any horror movie before, but I would be happy to take on any role.”

Robert said with a light smile. As Will’s first movie was a horror movie, it would be normal to think that he would ride on that trend and continue to make more horror movies.

“Hahaha, I wonder why everyone thinks I’ll continue making horror movies. Well, the role I’m offering you isn’t for a horror movie, but for something else entirely; it’s also the lead role.”

This time, Robert was speechless. He never imagined that his luck would be running so sky-high. At this point, he was even starting to doubt the reality of the situation. A lead role out of nowhere wasn’t just a piece of pie, but a whole cake that has fallen face-first onto his head.

“Well, What was the highest budget movie that you’ve acted in?”

Will asked in an inquiring tone, to which Micheal immediately replied while still being in a trance.

“It was almost a $30 million movie, and I had played the role of an extra in it. That 30-second role you talked about earlier.”

“Oh..”

Will contemplated as he thought about how seriously unlucky these Roberts were. The one in his previous life was unlucky enough to get into substance abuse, while the one in his current life was just a low time actor with such good acting skills. No matter which world it was, the life of Hollywood wasn’t as easy as it seemed.

“Well. The project I’ve planned is pretty big, and I will give you a chance to audition for the lead role movie, with a package of 2 Million Dollars if you pass the audition and sign the contract.”

Will said as he closely looked for Robert’s reaction. He chose to offer the amount for the lead role directly. However, Will could have also decided to not tell the former about the movie’s budget, because these things are best kept secret. $90 million is not a tiny amount, and the Robert in front of him wasn’t yet a superstar that he was on earth. Greed can make any man blind and foolish, and Will didn’t wish to lose someone like Robert.

And as expected, Robert’s eyes opened wide in disbelief as he was shell shocked. Robert couldn’t get his head around what he had just heard. For a small-time actor to be offered the chance to audition for a lead role was already a big deal, and he was even getting 2 Million dollars if he passed the audition? It was either his luckiest day, or he was being pranked again!

“You shouldn’t be joking around with people like this. It’s not a good habit to practice.”

Robert said that as he tried to leave. He, of course, wouldn’t believe the bullshit that he was actually getting such an important role in a big movie like that. He couldn’t help but think that he was getting pranked and made fun of.

For someone helpless like him, one might think he should at least listen to what Will has to say, but this wasn’t the first time such a thing was happening to Robert, which was why he immediately dismissed the idea of Will honestly offering him a role.

But just as Robert was about to take his first step, Will put down his wine glass and spoke without raising his head.

“Every step you take from here, you will lose $100k.”

…

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